Automatic cathead



March 23, 1943. F. M. OWEN AUTOMATIC CATHEAD Filed April 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 23, 1943. F. @WEN 2,314,733

AUTOMATIC CATHEAD Filed April 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 0! MW; 3%

ATTORNEY March 23, 1943. F. M. OWEN AUTOMATIC CATHEAD Filed April 15, 1938 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY March 23, 1943. F. M. OWEN AUTOMATIC CATHEAD Filed April 15, 1958 4 Sheets-She t 4 INVYENTOR 0? ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CATHEAD Frank M. Owen, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application April 15, 1938, Serial No. 202,194

12 Claims.

My invention relates to automatic line reciprocating mechanism for use in connection with well drilling draw-works for making and breaking sectional connections of drill stem and the like.

Th prime object of the invention is the provision of a cathead for this purpose which will include few moving parts and which is of a de sign permitting light weight construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is positive in action; which is simple in construction, assembly, and installation; which is so mounted that compensation is effected for end play in the shaft by which it is driven, and also for any eccentric movement of the shaft due to its being out of alignment; which is durable; and, which will be eflicient in accomplishing all of the purposes for which it is intended.

In th drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the removable disengaging element;

' Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a slightly different embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of a pair of rotatable elements forming a part of the device;

Figure '7 is an end view taken from the spool end of the cathead;

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along th lin 9-9 of Fig. 8, the line having just been engaged by the rotor;

Figure 10 is a similar view showing the line further along in its travel with the rotor;

Figure 11 is a detail of a coupling element carried by the line;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a spring, a pair of which are carried by the line coupler;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a different type of line coupler;

Figure 14 is a top view of the coupler shown in Fig. 13; and,

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a proposed lin construction which may be used in connection with some embodiments of the invention.

The invention consists substantially of a continuously driven rotor having an abrupt peripheral abutment; a jerk-line having a coupler or knob on one end adapted to be engaged by the abutment for moving the line longitudinally;

means'for disengaging the knob and abutment after the rotor has made part of a revolution;

and, a manually operable means for originally moving the knob into the path of the abutment. In one embodiment, invention is particularly characterized by. the fact that no track, guard or other means is provided for preventing inadvertent engagement of the knob and rotor as the cable is returned to its original position, and no guide rail or track is provided for retaining the knob in its engaged position during the above mentioned partial revolution. The rotor abutment is so designed that the knob cannot be ,accidently dislodged therefrom when a load is on the jerk-line, and after disengagement the inherent resiliency of the line prevents'engagement with the abutment during its return to the original position.

In another embodiment, the device is designed for use with a limp line or a chain, and a means is provided for preventing inadvertent engagement of the line and rotor during the return travel. However, this means travels with the rotor in contradistinction to a stationary guard or track' which has heretofore been used in catheads, as evidenced by the two U. S. patents listed herebelow:

W. L. Foster, 1,860,709, and P. F. Murray,

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all of the figures. j

One practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings wherein the reference'numeral I indicates a driven shaft which may be a part of a usual well drilling draw-works and which is journalled for rotation in a suitable bearing 2 supported by a usual jack-post 3. A

rotor 4 is mounted upon the shaft I and is caused to rotate therewith by a suitable key 5. The peripheral face of the rotor is provided with an abrupt abutment or shoulder 6 which is divided longitudinallygas is indicated by the reference numeral I in Fig. 4. The purpose of the groove 1, which extends inwardly through the abutment forming protuberance 8 to the face of the rotor 4, will be more fully described hereinbelow. .It is preferable that the end of the rotor most remote from the jack-post'be equipped with a spool. 9 which may be integral therewith or which may be otherwis rigidly attached thereto. However, the spool 9 is not'in any manner new in the art. For the sake of economy and lightness in weight, the spool 9 is preferably made hollow and is equipped with inwardly projecting spaced vanes II) for contacting the endof the shaft I and limiting the distance to which the shaft may project into the rotor. The vanes I0 also lend strength to the structure. AS may be clearly seen in Fig. 4, the periphery of the rotoris formed with. two annular end walls II and I2 between which the protuberance 8 and abutment 6 are located. An arcuate housing I3, which is also arcuate in cross-section throughout most of its extent is provided around the periphery of the walls II and [2 with bearing rings |4 interposed therebetween. The lower portion at the right hand side of the housing is open as shown in Fig. 3, and its right hand side wall as seen in Fig. 3 has a portion l5 which lies in a vertical plane and terminates in a lower horizontal edge Hi. The portion l5 of the housing I3 is provided with a groove I! (Fig. 1) to permit passage therethrough of a jerk-line I8 into the open space |9 which is bounded by the rotor 4, its side walls II and I2, and the inner surface of the housing l3. A line coupler consisting of a ball or knob 24 is provided upon the end of the jerk-line, and the line is constructed. of comparatively stiff resilient wire. It may be found desirable to provide the line It with a spring steel core |8a (Fig. in order to increase its stiffness.

The housing I3 is held against rotation with the rotor by a bracket bolted at one end to the jack-post 3 and at its other end to the housing by a stud bolt 2| which passes through an elongated perforation 22. The bolt 2| is preferably left loose so that the housing may move longitudinally with the rotor if end play is present in the shaft I. The bracket 20 is slotted as shown at 23 to permit a slight lateral movement thereof to compensate for any eccentric movement of the shaft due to its being slightly out of alignment.

Pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a pin 25 to the exterior of the lower portion of the housing |3, is an arcuate lever arm 28 (Fig. 3), the left hand end of which is connected by a retrieving spring 21 to the exterior of the housing, the spring acting to normally hold that end of the lever against or adjacent the housing. This end of the lever has a link 28 attached thereto whereby it may be manually drawn away from the housing into the position shown in dotted lines. Such movement of the lever causes its other end 29 to move toward the periphery of the rotor 4. The end 29 of the lever 26 has in its upper edge an arcuate portion 30.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 2, but which also may be found in Figs. 3 and 4, a removable insert or closure 3| is provided for attachment within the lower open portion of the housing.

This closure consists substantially of two spaced parallel side members 32 and 33 integrally connected at their upper edge portions by a bridge or spanner 34 which is perforated as shown at 35 to receive a bolt or pin 36 (Fig. 3). The upper left hand edges of the side members 32 and 33 are arcuate as shown at 31 and the extreme left hand edges of the side members are similarly grooved as shown at 38 to conform to the periphery of the knob 24 carried by the jerk line |8. The space between the two side members 32 and 33 is indicated by the reference numeral 40. Integral with the upper portion of the arcuate left hand faces of the side members 32 and 33 is an upstanding boss or lug 4| having an arcuate surface 42 which is formed on a radius substantially equal to the radius of the periphery of the rotor 4. The thickness of the lug 4| is such that when positioned as shown in Fig. 3, the lug projects into the space I in the abutment 6 of the rotor. Consequently the rotor 4 is free to rotate without interference with the lug 4|. The lug has a thin uppermost edge 43 which lies adjacent the'periphery of the rotor, and has a right hand edge or inclined shoulder or surface 44 lying substantially at a tangent to the periphery of the rotor.

The knob 24 of the line l8 is inserted into the lower portion of the housing l3 in a position substantially as that shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 before the closure 3| is attached within the housing. The arcuate end portion 30 of the lever 26 together with the arcuate end portion 38 of the closure 3| prevents escape of the lug from the housing. When the device is in operation the line l8 works between the side members 32 and 33 of the closure 3| and through the space 40.

Operation The shaft :l' and rotor 4 are continuously rotating in the direction indicated by the arrows of Figs. 3 and 4. The knob 24 and cable I8 is normally in repose at the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the knob resting upon the arcuate end portion 30 of the lever 25 and against the arcuate end 38 of the closure 3|. The other end of the line I8 is connected in a usual manner to a set of chain tongs, not shown, which are in turn engageable with the section of pipe or stem which is to be rotated.

Downward movement of the link 28 forced the end portion 28 of the lever 26 toward the periphery of the rotor 4, and the knob 24 of the jerk line I8 is thereby moved into the path of the abutment 6, the line entering the central groove 1 of the boss 8 of the rotor. The moving abutment consequently exerts a pull upon the line and draws the chain tongs toward the divide. When the knob 24 in its travel encounters the sharp upper edge 43 of the lug 4| of the closure 3| it is forced out of engagement with the abutment 6 by the tangential edge 44 thereof and thus enters the arcuate space l9 in the housing outside of the path of the abutment. Since the line I8 is comparatively stiff and is inherently resilient, the knob 24 is held by this resiliency within the space I9 and therefore a pull upon the outer end of the line returns the knob 24 to its original position of repose without danger of the knob being again engaged by the abutment during its return travel.

Attention is particularly called to the fact that the end of the protuberance 8 lying opposite to the abutment 6 is arcuate peripherally as illustrated at 45 in Fig. 3. This precludes any possibility of the knob 24 becoming inadvertently impinged between the protuberance and the closure 3| should the direction of rotation of the rotor be reversed.

From the above description it may be readily seen that, besides the actuating lever B, there are only two moving parts in the device, viz.: the rotor and the jerk-line. Therefore, the device is extremely simple in construction and eliminates excessive Wear.

In Figs 5 to 12 inclusive is illustrated an embodiment of the invention designed for use with a line l8 of non-resilient or limp construction. This embodiment could be used with a hemp rope or even a chain, and consists substantially of the following described structure.

In this embodiment, a sleeve 58 is keyed to the shaft and therefore rotates therewith. Intermediate its ends the sleeve 50 has integral therewith the previously described rotor 4 with one or more of the bifurcated .abutments B projecting therefrom. The sleeve has an exterior enlarged portion 5| against the end of which the spool 9 abuts after installation, the spool being keyed to the sleeve. A sleeve type bearing 52, freely rotatable around the portion of the sleeve 50, is provided at each side of the rotor 4, and adjacent the rotor, each bearing 52 is equipped with a perpendicularly extending annulus 53 (Fig. 6) which is firmly atttched to or made integral with the bearing. The annuli each have diametrical projections 54 between which is formed a diametrical slot 55. The inner end of the slot 55 has an arcuate portion 56 which communicates with the outer portion of the slot through a restricted neck 51. The jerk line I8 is, in this embodiment, equipped at its end with a coupler 58 in lieu of the previously described knob 24.

The coupler 58 consists substantially of a cylindrical body 59 to which the end of the line I8 is permanently attached medially. Spaced grooves 60 in the body each receive an annular split spring 6| and the springs are spaced apart the same distance as are the two annuli 53.

In the present embodiment, a housing is provided which is formed in two sections or body halves 62 and 63 which are flanged at their meeting edges and receive detents 68 for holding them firmly together. The body sections are each formed with annular oppositely disposed portions 65 which form races for the sleeve bearings 52. The lower portion of the housing has a circumferential opening H and beneath the opening an actuating lever 66 is pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin 61 whereby one of its ends 69 may be moved into the housing by movement .of the opposite end thereof away from the same. A spring 16 acts similarly to the previously described spring 21 in pulling the free end of the lever toward the housing. An internal shoulder 12 is formed upon each of the body sections 63 and.

64, and the coupler 58 normally rests against these shoulders and withinthe outer portion of the slots 55 in the annuli 53. The housing section 64 has a perforated ear 13 which receives a bolt or other detent 14 by which the housing is connected to the usual jack-post 3.

Ihe body sections 63 and 64 are also each provided with internal shoulders 15, which lie at a tangent to the periphery of the rotor 4 above the opening 1| in the lower portion of the housing.

Operation When the device of the present embodiment is installed, the coupler 58 is embraced by the outer portions of the projections 54 of the annuli 53 and is held in such position by action of the two springs 6|. The line I8 is pulled outwardly which rotates the annuli 53 and brings the coupler into a position of repose against the internal shoulders 12 of the housing sections where it normally rests in a position above the end portion 69 of the lever 66. When in this position the coupler is out of the path of the abutment 6 on the rotor 4. When it is desired to exert a longitudinal pull upon the line I8, the free end of the lever 66 is manually pulled away from the housing and against tension of the retrieving spring 16, which movement urges the end 69 of the lever toward the rotor 4. The coupler 58 is thereby moved to the inner end of the slots 55 of the annuli 53, the springs 6| being compressed sufficiently to permit its passage through the restricted portions 51 of the slots. When the coupler is in the inner portion 56 of the slots 55 it then lies in the path of the abutment 6 of the rotor, and is therefore engaged by the constantly rotating rotor abu'tments and is forced to travel therewith. The annuli 53' between which the coupler extends are of course rotated with the coupler.

When the coupler has traveled through the major portion of one revolution, it comes in contact with the two tangential shoulders 15 of the housing sections which contact forces the coupler into the outer portion of the slot 55 and consequently out of engagement with the rotor abutments. The springs 58 hold the coupler in this position with relation to the annuli and consequently when the line I8 is pulled outwardly from the device, the annuli and coupler are returned to their original positions, the coupler again lying against the shoulders 12 of the housing.

It is thought to be clearly evident from the above description that the slotted annuli and the springs 6| of the coupler are provided only for the purpose of preventing inadvertent engagement of the coupler and the abutments 6, during return of the coupler to its normal position of repose.

In Figs. 13 and 14 is illustrated a structure wherein a different type of coupler is used, and in which the coupler is designed to prevent its engagement with the abutment during its return travel. This embodiment may also be used with a limp line such as a hemp rope or a chain. This embodiment comprises substantially a rectangular coupler supporting body 8|] having transverse pins 8| and 82 at its ends. A chain or other line 84 connects the pin 8| while upon the pin 82 is pivoted a latch or coupler 85 having an abutment 86 in its outer portion. In this embodiment the rotor 4 has an abutment 81 which is not bifurcated as is the abutment 6. A coil spring 88 is provided around the pin 82 and acts to urge the free end of the latch 85 away from the rotor and hold it out of engagement with the abutment B1.

In operation the free end of the coupler 85 is moved by a lever into the path of the abutment 81 so that it may engage the abutment 86 of the latch. The latch is disengaged from the abutment 81 by a shoulder 89 which is similar to the shoulder 15 in Fig. 5. During the time in which the latch is in engagement with the abutment 81, the load on the line 84 is sufiicient to overcome tension of the spring 88 and therefore the latch remains in its engaged position. However, as soon as the latch is disengaged, the spring 88 holds it from again engaging upon its return trip to its normal position.

From the above description it may be seen that cathead structure has been disclosed wherein a line is engageable and disengageable from a continuously traveling rotor, and wherein the necessity of the previously used guide track has been eliminated, thus dispensing with the expense of machining the same. Also, that structure has been disclosed which will accomplish any and all of the objects hereinabove set forth.

I claim:

1. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination with a rotor having a winding surface for a line, and an abutment on the rotor of: a resilient line having an inherent tendency to remain straight; a knob rigidly connected to the line for anchoring engagement with the abutment; and,- means for automatically disengaging the knob and abutment, the resiliency of the line being sufiicient to hold the knob out of the path of the abutment after its disengagement.

2. In an automatic cathead structure, the

combination with a rotor having a winding surface for a line, a housing for the rotor and an abutment on the rotor of: a resilient line having an inherent tendency to remain straight; a knob rigidly connected to the line for anchoring engagement with the abutment; and, means for automatically disengaging the knob and abutment, the resiliency of the line being sufiicient to hold the knob out of the path of the abutment after its disengagement.

3. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination of: a rotor having a winding surface for a line, an abutment on the rotor; a resilient line having a knob rigidly connected to one end for anchoring engagement with the abutment; and means for automatically disengaging the knob from the abutment, the inherent resiliency of said line being sufficient to hold the knob out of the path of the abutment as the knob is returned to a position of repose, and means for urging the knob from a position of repose near the rotor into the path of the abutment.

4. In line reciprocating apparatus, the combination with a rotor, means carried by the rotor for. engaging a line, a line for engagement with the engaging means and a housing for the rotor, of: a removable section of the housing; an inclined shoulder or surface carried by the section, lying adjacent and at a tangent to the path of the engaging means for separating the line and said means during rotation of the rotor; and, a single detent for removably attaching the section to the housing.

5. In line reciprocating apparatus, the combination with a rotor, means carried by the rotor for engaging a line, a line carrying a means for engagement with the engaging means, and a housing for the rotor, said housing having a wall opening, of: a removable closure for the opening, said closure including: a stationary projection carried by the closure; an arcuate surface on the projection substantially contiguous with. the face of the rotor and in the path of the means on the line for engagement with the rotor; a riding surface for said means that is on the line, said surface located on the pro Fiction and intersecting said arcuate surface at an obtuse angle, said projection adapted to separate the line and the engaging means during rotation of the rotor; and, a single detent for removably attaching the section to the housing.

6. In an automatic cathead structure, the

combination of: a rotor; a coupler engaging means carried by the rotor; a housing for the rotor; a coupler freely movable in the housing; a line rigidly attached to the coupler and movable therewith, said line adapted to be wound upon the rotor when the coupler is engaged therewith; means carried by the housing for disengaging the coupler from the rotor; and, means carried by the line for holding the coupler out of engaging position with relation to the engaging means.

7. In line pulling apparatus, the combination with a rotor, means carried by the rotor for engaging a line, a line for engagement with the engaging means, and a housing for the rotor, of: a removable section of the housing located at the line entering point thereof and acting as a guide for the line; an inclined shoulder or surface carried by the section, said shoulder or surface lying at-a tangent to the path of said line engaging means for the purpose of separating the line and said means during rotation of the rotor; and, a single detent for removably attaching the section tothe housing.

8. In line pulling apparatus, the combination with a rotor, an abutment carried by the rotor, a jerk line, a knob on the line for engagement with the rotor abutment, and a housing for the rotor, of: a removable section of the housing located at the line entering point thereof and acting as a guide for the line; an inclined shoulder or surface carried by the section, said shoulder or surface lying at a tangent to the path of said abutment for the purpose of separating the knob and the abutment during rotation of the rotor; a face carried by the section and presented inwardly of the housing for acting as a stop for the knob when the line is pulled outwardly; and, a single detent for removably attaching the section in the housing.

9. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination or" .a rotor; a housing for the rotor; a line coupler engaging means carried by the rotor; a coupler freely movable in the housing; means carried by the housing for disengaging the coupler from the rotor; and, a resilient line attached rigidly to the coupler and movable ierewith, said line solely by reason of its resiliency adapted to hold the coupler out of the path of the engaging means after the coupler is disengaged therefrom.

10. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination of: a rotor; a coupler engaging means carried by the rotor; a housing for the rotor; a coupler freely movable in the housing; a line rigidly attached to the coupler and moveable therewith, said line adapted to be wound upon the rotor when the coupler is engaged therewith; means carried by the housing for disengaging the coupler from the rotor; and, resilient means carried solely by the line and solely acting to hold the coupler out of engaged position with relation to the engaging means.

11. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination of: a rotor; an abutment on the rotor for engaging a line coupler; a line coupler movably mounted adjacent the rotor; means for urging the coupler into the path of the abutment for engagement therewith; means for disengaging the coupler subsequent to its travel with the abutment; and, a resilient line having a tendency to remain straight, said line rigidly attached to the coupler, the resilience of the line being the sole agent for holding the coupler out of the path of the abutment after its disengagement therefrom.

12. In an automatic cathead structure, the combination of: a rotor; means carried by the rotor for engaging a line coupler; a line coupler movably mounted adjacent the rotor; means for urging the coupler into the path of the coupler engaging means for engagement therewith; means for disengaging the coupler subsequent to its travel with the rotor; and, a resilient line having a tendency to remain straight, said line rigidly .attached to the coupler, the resilience of the line being the sole agent for holding the coupler out of the path of the coupler engaging means after its disengagement therefrom.

FRANK M. OWEN. 

